The pressure is mounting on Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle as Nigeria gears up for two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. With qualification hopes on the line, the football fraternity eagerly awaits the 23-man squad selection, expecting familiar names like Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and Ademola Lookman to headline the list.

However, former Real Madrid B winger Dimeji Lawal has issued a passionate appeal to Chelle: look beyond Europe and give Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) stars a chance to prove their worth on the international stage.

Having closely followed Chelle’s tenure, Lawal is encouraged by the coach’s visits to NPFL venues, witnessing firsthand the untapped potential within the domestic league. Speaking to Sportsblog247.com, Lawal emphasized that despite the high stakes, integrating homegrown talents could inject fresh energy into the Super Eagles’ squad.

“I am delighted that Eric Chelle has visited some league venues to watch our NPFL matches, and I am sure he must have seen one or two quality players that can play a key role for the Super Eagles in the qualifying campaign against Rwanda and Zimbabwe,” Lawal said.

“Yes, the two games are must-win encounters, but there is nothing wrong if the Super Eagles head coach decides to put his trust in them. No doubt, the list will be dominated by foreign players, but we should not ignore the NPFL players.”

Chelle has wasted no time in immersing himself in Nigerian football, attending high-profile NPFL clashes, including Ikorodu City’s thrilling comeback win over Plateau United last month. While some top-performing NPFL players are currently part of the CHAN Eagles preparing for the African Nations Championship, Lawal believes a few standout names could still break into Chelle’s plans for the World Cup qualifiers.

With the Super Eagles struggling to secure a win in their first four matches, every selection decision will be scrutinized. But as Nigeria fights to keep its World Cup dreams alive, one question remains: will Chelle put his trust in NPFL talent, or will the weight of expectation push him towards an all-European selection?